Worship News and Directory for Sept. 17th, 2014

A national movement is gaining momentum as tens of thousands of churches prepare to welcome several million people to services all on the same day, Back to Church Sunday® on September 21. And in some communities, churches are unifying to encourage everyone to get back to church on this special day. Back to Church Sunday® is the largest annual community-based church outreach effort in the nation. The campaign empowers churches and their members with the tools they need to welcome their neighbors, friends and loved ones back to church, while providing an easy way for everyone in the community to find a welcoming church. For 2014’s sixth annual Back to Church Sunday®, 30,000 churches are expected to participate across Christian denominations, holding special services that leaders estimate could involve more than 3.34 million people around the world.In Pearl, MS, more than 15 churches have joined together to invite all residents from the Jackson, MS area to come back to church. According to a pastor in Pearl, this is the first-ever effort for churches in their city to work together for participation in Back to Church Sunday.The group has even garnered the support of their mayor. “I encourage Pearl residents to bring their families and reach out to their neighbors to participate in National Back to Church Sunday,” said Brad Rogers, mayor for the city of Pearl. “Having a church home strengthens families—and strong families and churches strengthen communities.”In Deland, Florida, chaplains of the high school football team are using the community’s passion for football to encourage people to go back to church by showing Back to Church Sunday’s viral Pastor Rap video to 10,000 people attending games. “A recent demographic study of our area confirmed a high percentage of residents have a traditional church background but most are not now attending church,” said Chuck Hassell, a local minister and co-chaplain for the football team.“These people–literally raised in church–are the ones who need that invitation back to church. The Pastor Rap video works well for our community because it shows all different aspects and types of churches. Our message is this: select the church of your choice, but just go to church somewhere.”Community efforts like these help propel the national movement forward, as more and more churches participate. There is no cost to join the movement at www.backtochurch.com, and by signing up churches then appear on a national listing that helps people in their communities connect with them.“What an incredible testament to the heart of these cities, and the leaders of the churches there, to unite their community with the love of Christ,” said Scott Evans, founder and CEO of Outreach, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of church communications resources that helps support the Back to Church Sunday movement. “Our prayer is that more churches throughout the country will model this example until we reach every home.”For more information about Back to Church Sunday, as well as videos and other resources available, visit www.backtochurch.com.- See more at: http://pressreleases.religionnews.com/2014/08/21/excitement-builds-national-back-church-sunday-september-21/#sthash.QTOsiotu.dpuf

New Film from Rick Santorum’s EchoLight Cinemas Receives Endorsements from Leaders Including Oliver North

Franklin, Tennessee, August 28, 2014 – At a time when religious liberty and persecution are appearing in the headlines daily,EchoLight Studios’ “One Generation Away: The Erosion of Religious Liberty in America,” will world premier in churches and universities across America between September 1 – November 15, 2014. (http://onegenerationawaymovie.com/)One of the most pressing issues confronting our culture today is the challenge to our religious liberties. “One Generation Away” provides a powerful open exchange of Ideas from viewpoints across the spectrum that will equip audiences with knowledge to engage in this important conversation. “One Generation Away” explores both sides of the religious freedom debate and is gaining a number of well-known supporters from both faith-based and political backgrounds.“The producers of this film chose their title well by quoting Ronald Reagan,” said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin, EVP at Family Research Council and author of “Never Surrender,” “We are watching American Christians progressively marginalized from the larger culture to its great detriment. This film does a brilliant job of detailing the problem and offering solutions. Every church in America should get behind this movie.”EchoLight Cinemas offers a new method of screening films, where churches and other community venues can convert their meeting spaces into movie theaters. Over 3,000 churches have expressed interest in becoming an EchoLight Cinemas partner, with more signing on daily. “Our First Freedom, the right to worship as we please, is ordained in our Bill of Rights and unique in all the world,” said LT. Col. ( Ret.) Oliver North, host of “War Stories” on FOX News & bestselling author of “American Heroes.” “Americans have fought and died defending this privilege since the founding of our Republic; but it’s now under attack like never before. ‘One Generation Away’ shows how ‘We the People’ can defend this essential liberty. Get your church behind this great movie and join the fight for our future.” “One Generation Away” focuses on seven cases of religious freedom disputes throughout the United States: the Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial in San Diego, wedding service providers in Oregon and Washington, Hobby Lobby, chaplaincy in the military, as well as two education cases with a collegiate counseling program, and high school cheerleaders in Kountze, Texas. Each case clearly presents both sides of the issue, and reflects on how the First Amendment, Equal Protection Clause, Free Exercise Clause and Religious Freedom Restoration Act are interpreted and applied.Over 70 interviews are shown in the film. From politicians, thought leaders, business leaders, to religious leaders and opposing sides of freedom advocates, participants include Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rick Santorum, Eric Metaxas, Steve Green, Dr. Robert Jeffress and Todd Starnes.“One Generation Away” will release from EchoLight Cinemas on September 1, followed by “The Christmas Candle” in November and “Hoovey,” which is scheduled for February 2015. To learn more about EchoLight Studios and other EchoLight films, visit http://echolight.com/. To find where “One Generation Away” is showing nearby or to sign your venue up as a cinema, visit echolightcinemas. com/cinemas. EchoLight Studios is committed to bringing first-class, redemptive media to the marketplace. The studio produces, directs, funds and distributes faith-based films, hoping to bring both religious and secular communities together. Many of its films have broadcast on the Hallmark Movie Network, including “The Redemption of Henry Myers” and “A Christmas Candle” based on the novel by bestselling author, Max Lucado. - See more at: pressreleases.religionnews.com/2014/08/28/one-generation-away-shines-light-erosion-religious-liberty-america/#sthash.3jLkL8H4.dpuf

Sunday Morning Worship at CB pier

Rick Courtney and his wife, Lisa, are sharing love through worship, prayer and scripture with a Sunday morning worship service at High Tides on the North End Pier, Carolina Beach. While Courtney was in the navy, he did ministry work. After retiring from the navy, he and his wife stayed in Virginia for a while, but, decided to move back to the area. He then chose to share his ministry with others and he always felt Carolina Beach had this special charm about it. His mission is to share scriptures while singing His praises with an open invitation to all who want to share the same.The gathering starts at 10 a.m., for fellowship, coffee/water and donuts are provided. Breakfast can be ordered from the grill, if you would like something more. They offer positive music and food for thought from the bible, and with the music, songs and worship you have the best view. He also has a Facebook page, where he offers words of encouragement each day; to get your day started on a positive note or pick you up if you are down; something to get you through or to get you thinking. You can contact him through the page also. Follow him at www.facebook.com/sundaymorningworship.Courtney feels that life is hard enough, so church should refill that spirit and make you smile. So, stop in at High Tides on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. to get a smile and spirit through the message received. He is also working on a worship-driven album. Yes, if his name sounds familiar, it is because he is a member of the band Beachbilly Brothers that plays at different venues in the area.

Kure Memorial Lutheran News

Encouragement for the week: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31Sunday Schedule:9:00 Sunday School 10:00 Worship 11:00 Fellowship Time Community Beach Worship: Our Community Beach Worship continues each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. through September at the “F” Avenue beach access in Kure Beach. It is an awesome place to gather as a community and to worship God! Martin Luther said “God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.” We can probably add to that “in the sand and in the ocean, on the seagulls and pelicans and on the seashells!” Join us for inspiration on God’s beautiful seashore. We have a new sound system and a lineup of guest musicians to lead us in music. We usually finish up about 7:30. This is for the community, so everyone is welcome to stop in and see what we are up to. Bring a beach chair or a blanket. There is always a beach wheelchair available. We hope to see you there.Surfin’ on God’s Grace, Pastor: Dan Keck 910-458-5266 email: pdannybeachguy@ gmail.comWebsite: kurememorial.org 117 North 3rd Ave, (910)458-5266 • Kure Beach, NC 28449

First Baptist Church of Carolina Beach FREE MOVIE NIGHT

First Baptist Church of Carolina Beach would like to invite everyone in our community to join us on Saturday, September 20, at 6 pm for a FREE Movie Night. We will be showing the recent film God’s Not Dead (rated PG). We will have popcorn and drinks available. Beginning on Wednesday, September 24 at 6 pm, we will offer a six-week Bible study that explores important themes from the movie. Come join us!409 N. Lake Park Blvd. • Carolina Beach, NC 28428